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Misrep 4592219
AREC mission from 482ATKS. Collected SIGINT and supported NAVCENT operations.
Analysis
One object circled the other in 1/130th of a second, then both vanished. The 77 EFS pilot was vectored by KINGPIN to identify an unknown contact on October 27, 2020. He got radar lock and target pod video showing two IR-significant contacts at 26,000 feet. They looked balloon-shaped, metallic, opaque, and reflective. The crew received active noise jamming -- two chevrons on their instruments. Visual tally showed two red blinking strobes at minimum 16.9 NM. They couldn't close the distance before both contacts disappeared.
Key Findings
- Two IR-significant contacts detected; one circling the other in 1/130th of a second before disappearing
- Active noise jamming received, indicated by two chevrons on instrumentation
- Visual tally achieved: two red blinking strobes observed at minimum 16.9 NM distance
- Objects described as balloon-shaped, metallic, opaque, and reflective at 26,000 feet
- Unable to close within 16.9 NM for better identification
- Contacts moving at 060 degrees, 20 knots; altitude was not constant
Page Extractions 1 pages
Page 1
View PDF ↗statushas_content
doc_typeform
classificationDeclassified by MG Richard A. Harrison, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff; USCENTCOM MOR 26-0038 to MOR 26-0046, Approved for Release to AARO
page_descriptionRange Fouler Debrief Form documenting DCA (Defensive Counter Air) mission observation of 2 infrared-significant contacts showing unusual behavior and electromagnetic jamming signals on October 27, 2020.
dates
- 2020-10-27 | Date of observation
- 01:12:21 Z | Time of detection (night hours)
- B/E ZIM 248/17 [1.4a] | Time/coordinate of first detection (partially redacted)
people
- O-3 Rank crew member | Squadron 77 EFS | Position not specified | Observer/reporter
- KINGPIN | Command/direction authority | Directed identification of contact
- MG Richard A. Harrison | USCENTCOM Chief of Staff | USCENTCOM | Declassification authority
organizations
- 77 EFS | Air Force squadron conducting DCA mission
- USCENTCOM | U.S. Central Command
- SPEAR | Reporting and analysis organization
- AARO | All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (recipient of release)
locations
- Contact working area designation (left blank/unspecified on form)
- Altitude: 26,000 feet | Contact altitude
- Bearing/Elevation/ZIM 248/17 [1.4a] | First detection coordinates (partially redacted)
- Distance: Unable to get closer than 16.9 NM for better identification
observations2 IR (infrared) significant contacts observed; target pod video showed 2 IR significant contacts; one range fouler was circling around the other in 1/130th of a second, then they were gone; radar lock obtained on unknown contact; unable to get closer than 16.9 NM to get better identification; tally achieved was 2x red blinking strobes; noise jamming was received, indicated by two chevrons; contacts were moving at direction/speed 060/20; balloon-shaped and other shape configurations checked; metallic, opaque, and reflective properties checked; contact altitude constant no at 26000 feet; stable trackfile yes
sensor_details
- Target pod video | Sensor type used for identification
- IR significant contacts | Thermal signature detection
- Radar lock obtained | Radar detection capability
- Red blinking strobes | Visual signature observed
assessments
- Tally achieved: Yes (2x red blinking strobes) | Visual confirmation achieved
- Noise jamming received | Electronic warfare indication
- Rapid circular motion between contacts | Unusual behavior: one circling around the other in 1/130th of a second before disappearing
- Unable to achieve better identification at 16.9 NM minimum distance | Sensor/aircraft limitation
- First observed occurrence implies novel contact type for DCA operations | Context assessment
electronic_warfare
- Noise jamming received | Active electronic warfare
- Noise jamming indicated by two chevrons | Electronic signal interpretation
- Two chevrons | Jamming signature
redactions
- Crew member name, rank | Contact information sanitized
- SIPR email address | Classified contact information
- "1.4a" redactions appear multiple times | Classified coordinate and location information
- "B/E ZIM 248/17 [1.4a]" | Bearing/elevation/range data partially redacted
- "(b)(6)" redactions appear | Classified contact/repository information
- Repository link redacted | Classified file upload location
quotes
- "KINGPIN DIRECTED ID OF UNKNOWN CONTACT.[1.4a] OBTAINED RADAR LOCK AND TARGET POD VIDEO BUT UNABLE TO GET CLOSER THAN 16.9NM TO GET A BETTER ID. THE TARGET POD SHOWED 2 IR SIGNIFICANT CONTACTS. ONE RANGE FOULER WAS CIRCLING AROUND THE OTHER IN 1/130TH OF A SECOND, THEY WERE GONE. TALLY ACHIEVED WAS 2X RED BLINKING STROBES AND NOISE JAMMING WAS RECIEVED. NOISE JAMMING WAS INDICATED BY TWO CHEVRONS." | Crew description of encounter
- "FIRST DETECTION OF THE RANGE FOULERS WERE AT B/E ZIM 248/17 [1.4a]." | Initial detection parameters